Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
After a 49-8 season, head coach
Scott Whitlock's Owls secured their second consecutive national championship. KSU swept through the NCAA Division II regional tournament and entered the national championship tournament ranked No. 1 in the country. The Owls posted a 4-1 record in the national tournament held at Emporia, Kan., and claimed the back-to-back crown with a 6-4 victory over Nebraska-Omaha.
"In the spring of 1996, it was pretty special to be an Owl. Obviously, we are proud that the 1996 national championship team has been selected to the KSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Their journey was much different than that of the 1995 team," said Whitlock. "In 1995 we started with a veteran group, and they were dominate the second half off the season. In 1996, we had freshmen playing all over the place. The 1996 club had to learn and grow throughout the season. The rookies were good players, but inexperienced. To their credit, they worked and improved every day. Early on, they were in no way dominate, but they were hungry."
Once again led by the pitching dominance of four-time All-American Kelly Rafter (31-3, 0.83 ERA), Kennesaw State enjoyed a 19-game winning streak and extended its Peach Belt Conference mark to 42-straight. On the season, the Owls were led by two-time All-American Cara Dornstauder (.407, 38 RBI) while Kathy Morgan (.393) and Kathy Le (.339, 31 RBI) were named to the All-Peach Belt Conference team. Additionally, Brenda Farrell (18-5, 1.01 ERA) along with Julie Eggert (.335, 38 RBI), Nada Hlohovsky (.323, 31 RBI), Kim O'Kelly (.316), Krissy Streid (.315), Paige Wofford (.296) and Shannon Ross (.287, 32 RBI) were key contributors.
